Week: Jesus' Friends & Family
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
What a friend we have in You, Jesus. We’re ready for the new things that You want to show us and say to us about being friends with You, and with others too.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Asaph
Proverbs 17:17
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Proverbs 17:17 (MSG)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Before Jesus was born, an angel appeared to Joseph and told him that God had a special job for Jesus. Today we are REFLECTING on another angelic visit, a couple of years later.
Read by Asaph
Matthew 2:13-14
An angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up! Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, because Herod is starting to look for the child so he can kill him. Stay in Egypt until I tell you to return.’
So Joseph got up and left for Egypt during the night with the child and his mother.
Matthew 2:13-14 (NCV)
Jesus was God’s Son, not Joseph’s, but Joseph cared for Jesus in every possible way, just like any good father.
In today’s Bible passage, we read that when an angel told Joseph that Jesus was in danger, Joseph didn’t hesitate – he took Jesus and Mary straight to Egypt to keep them safe. Joseph cared for Jesus and protected him until Jesus was able to look after himself.
Joseph, Mary and Jesus had to pack their bags and escape overnight. Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: If we had to leave our homes in a hurry, what would we grab first?
Do we need God’s care and protection in any area of our lives right now? Let’s talk with God for a few moments about what’s going on and how we’re feeling.
Families like Joseph, Mary and Jesus who leave their homes behind to find somewhere safe are often called refugees. Today, there are millions of refugees around the world looking for new homes. Let’s pray for them now.
Father God, we ASK You to protect, guide and care for those who have left their homes behind. And we also ASK that governments around the world will be more welcoming and hospitable and help refugees find new homes.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Matthew 2:13-14
An angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up! Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, because Herod is starting to look for the child so he can kill him. Stay in Egypt until I tell you to return.’
So Joseph got up and left for Egypt during the night with the child and his mother.
Matthew 2:13-14 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord God, You are a good, good Father and we trust You. We say YES, we need Your care and Your protection, and we pray the same for others too.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Proverbs 17:17
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Proverbs 17:17 (MSG)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.
Asaph is 9 years old. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his younger sister Adelina, father and mother. He enjoys riding his bike, camping, reading, playing flag football and watching Bible Project videos. Asaph is kind and smart and loves hanging out with friends!
